Dorothy FarrarVisceral Leishmaniasis (Kala Azar)
Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala Azar) is a serious infectious disease that occurs in subtropical and tropical regions. It is also called Kala Azar.
What is Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala Azar)?
Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala Azar) is a disease caused by Leishmania. These are parasites, which belong to the unicellular organisms. Leishmaniasis rarely occurs in Germany and Central Europe. Instead, it shows up in subtropical and tropical areas such as the Mediterranean region, South America and Asia. Visceral leishmaniasis is also known as black fever, dum dum fever or kala azar. The term Kala Azar comes from the Hindi language and means “black skin” in translation. Physicians distinguish between several types of Leishmania. These include cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, which affects the skin and mucous membranes, and visceral leishmaniasis, which also affects the internal organs. Visceral leishmaniasis is the most severe form of leishmaniasis.
causes
Parasites belonging to the Leishmania family are responsible for the occurrence of visceral leishmaniasis. In most cases, the infectious disease is caused by the subtype Leishmania donovani. The parasite was discovered by the British tropical medicine specialists WB Leishman and C. Donovan in India at the beginning of the 20th century. However, there are other subtypes such as the parasite Leishmania infantum, which occurs in Europe. Depending on the distribution area, there are differences between the individual species.
Leishmania are protozoa (single-celled organisms) whose habitat is formed by the cells of their host body. Thus, they are only able to survive within their host. Animal diseases are also frequently triggered by Leishmania. The disease is often transmitted through insect bites . Between 1.5 and 2.0 million new cases of leishmaniasis are recorded every year. Visceral leishmaniasis is present in 200,000 to 400,000 patients. Up to 70,000 people die from the disease each year. In Germany, there is an obligation to report visceral leishmaniasis. The cases of illness are passed on to the Berlin Institute for Tropical Medicine.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis (Kala Azar):
- fever flares
- brittle hair
The onset of symptoms in visceral leishmaniasis depends on the type of pathogen. In the case of an infestation with Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania infantum, there are usually no symptoms. The infection heals by itself. On the other hand, infections with Leishmania donovani usually have serious and long-lasting consequences. In the worst case, death can even occur. In some patients, the pathogen is transmitted through an insect bite. Painful changes in the skin or an ulcer form in its area .
Typical symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis are diarrhea, abdominal pain and severe weight loss. In addition, the patients suffer from flare-ups of fever. Pneumonia can also occur due to bacterial infection . Other possible symptoms are a poor general condition, water retention, enlargement of the spleen and liver , increased liver values and brittle hair. Bleeding can also occur in the intestines , lungs or mucous membranes .
With timely professional treatment, the course of Kala Azar is positive. Around 90 percent of all patients are then considered cured. In the case of a severe course, however, the prognosis worsens. In addition, a relapse of the disease is possible. Without appropriate therapy, visceral leishmaniasis can also be fatal.
Diagnose
In order to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis, the patient in Germany is asked by his doctor about previous trips abroad and whether these led to endemic areas. If the suspicion of kala azar is confirmed, the doctor will identify the pathogen either directly or with the help of an immune reaction. Direct detection requires a sample from the liver, spleen, lymph nodes , or bones . This tissue sample is then checked in a laboratory. Leishmania can be easily recognized under a microscope.
treatment and therapy
To treat visceral leishmaniasis, the patient receives special medication. This primarily includes the active ingredient liposomal amphotericin B, which is considered to be well tolerated and can be used over a long period of time. The administration of the drug takes place via the vein. Once in the blood, the macrophages, the scavenger cells of the human immune system, absorb the substance. Overall, the therapy takes 10 to 21 days.
However, back pain is possible during the infusion . Other conceivable side effects are kidney dysfunction, hypersensitivity, body aches , muscle problems or headaches . If treatment with amphotericin B is not feasible, miltefosine is used. This drug, which was developed as part of cancer research, can be taken in tablet form. Oral therapy lasts four weeks. Possible side effects include diarrhea and vomiting .
Alternatively, treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with antimonies such as meglumine antimonate or sodium stibogluconate is also possible. These drugs can be given through an injection or an IV. The treatment is carried out in a clinic. Their duration is about 28 days.
prevention
To prevent visceral leishmaniasis, it is recommended to protect yourself against insect bites when traveling to risk areas. A vaccination against leishmaniasis does not yet exist.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.